jan 1, 400 BC - Democritus

Description:

Democritus discovered that if you cut a stone in half the two pieces would still have the same properties he then thought if the same piece was divided continuously eventually there would be a piece so minuscule it would become indivisible. Based on this he then suggested that matter is made of extremely small particles that cannot be broken down any more that moved through empty spaces. He believed the solidness of an object was changed depending on the shape of the atom. He called these particles "atomos" which means indivisible. Democritus's theory was basically correct he was just missing the basic building blocks of the actual atom.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: